A Wolf for a Spell

June 15, 2020
The lives of a wolf, a witch, and an orphan are intertwined in this fantasy. This story inspired by Russian fairy tales is told in alternating chapters by three characters: the witch Baba Yaga, a young female wolf named Zima, and an orphan girl named Nadya. Nadya, wandering in the forest near the orphanage, is determined to escape her life of drudgery, but she is torn between her need for freedom and her longing for a home. Meanwhile, Zima the wolf is also struggling with feelings of restlessness and insecurity. Her older sibling has told the pack to kill humans, but when Zima comes upon Nadya in the forest, she doesn't kill her; and worse, Zima brings a younger wolf sibling, injured by a human, to the feared and hated witch, Baba Yaga, to be healed. Baba Yaga agrees on the condition that Zima switch bodies, through a spell, with her. Thus begins the enmeshing of the three main characters' destinies. The plot's many interesting twists are, however, undercut by a less-than-clear delivery. Italics rather than quotation marks are used to denote when animals are speaking (why?), which makes things confusing when Zima and Baba Yaga switch bodies and thus modes of speech; moreover, clunky contrivances jar the finer originality of the whole. The theme of the value of family and friends seems too thin and ordinary for such a complicated plot--something more revelatory is expected. The black-and-white illustrations, however, have a stark, effective beauty. High marks for ambition, middling for delivery. (Fantasy. 9-13)

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July 13, 2020
To save her wounded packmate, young wolf Zima makes a deal to temporarily swap bodies with the infamous Baba Yaga. While Baba Yaga pursues her own mysterious agenda, Zima must pretend to be the terrifying witch of the deep woods, a masquerade that leads her to the nearby castle of the intimidating Tsar Aleksander. Meanwhile, orphan Nadya, whose chosen older sister Katerina is engaged to Aleksander, also makes her way to the castle in the hopes of finding a permanent home. As paths cross and stories intertwine, an old secret unfolds, one that could either save or destroy the forest that has brought them together. Drawing on the Russian folklore of her heritage, Sutton conjures up a charming debut filled with magic and friendship, where a wolf in disguise can learn what it means to be human and a witch finds opportunity to redeem her greatest mistake. Fun and twisty, this fairy tale that evokes imperial Russia has a timeless air. Stylistic black-and-white illustrations adeptly visualize the characters. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Katie Grimm, Don Congdon Assoc.

Starred review from September 1, 2020

Gr 3-7-In her wolf pack, Zima has always been taught to fear humans, especially witches-but when her family is threatened she has no choice but to seek the aid of the forest witch, Baba Yaga. Nadya is worried about her best friend Katerina, who has left the orphanage to be married. She knows that something is amiss and that the only person who can help is the witch of the forest. Baba Yaga senses the evil in the world and needs a keen wolf's nose to help her with her secret plan. When the three of them collide, a magical adventure of friendship and bravery ensues as they try to save those they love and protect their world. Told from the perspectives of Zima, Nadya, and Baba Yaga, this delightfully magical tale is filled with everything readers of fantasy and fairy-tale retellings adore: magic, heroism, and whimsy. VERDICT Dotted with Hannuniemi's lovely black-and-white illustrations, Sutton's latest middle grade venture is one not to be missed. A must-purchase where fairy-tale retellings and folklore are loved.-India Winslow, Cary Memorial Lib., Lexington, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2020
Grades 4-7 Though Zima, a wolf, has been told all her life that humans are to be feared and hated, when she sees a young girl in the woods one day, she doesn't attack. Likewise, Nadya, the young orphan girl, is intrigued by the woods--and by the wolf she spots--even though she's been taught that both are dangerous. Their small encounter is witnessed by Baba Yaga, the legendary witch, who has a plan abrewing, but she needs something first: a wolf that's willing to temporarily swap bodies with her. That wolf turns out to be Zima, and though Baba Yaga gives Zima, while she's in her body, strict orders to quietly wait for her return, Zima becomes entangled in a plot that involves not only Baba Yaga and her magic but Nadya, a tsar and his bride, and the future of the whole forest. Sutton weaves together the three protagonist's storylines with skill, building toward an exciting denouement. Hannuniemi's intermittent black-and-white spot illustrations add an extra boost of liveliness to this warmhearted take on a Russian fairytale.

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